My September Paintings Collage

I painted 26 painted in September 2013!

Today is the last day of Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 Challenge.  I didn't get to finish yesterday's painting, so there you go, no new painting to share today.  No matter.  I am still proud of myself because I created 26 beautiful paintings, one of which I had to drop for the above collage.  One painting a day really adds up!

Today is also the day of the September drawing.  I would like to thank 23 fans who have sent me photos of their pets and other things for the past seven weeks since I started painting from fans' photos.  It has been a great fun and learning experience.  In particular, my pet portrait painting ability grew tremendously, all thanks to your support and participation.

The lucky winner is Desiree Moeller.  Congratulations!

"Teddy" (oil on canvas; 5" x 7") sold

sold

"Teddy" is for my dear friend and neighbor, Bruna.  Bruna commissioned me to paint Teddy for her friend, Gerry, as her birthday present.  It was not just a commission, but a mission on my part, because of the challenge of having to work from a stamp-sized print picture.  Instead of saying "No, I can't do it," I said "Sure, I will try".  Why?  Gerry fell recently and hurt herself badly.  She was hurrying to greet a postman who returned to work after a severe injury caused by dog bites during delivery.  She can certainly use a cheerful present.

Teddy, a Maltese/poodle mix, came to live with his grandparents after his dad passed away in a car accident.  He took a very good care of them.  Everyday he took a walk with his grandpa in a wheel chair.  The picture Bruna gave me for the painting has Gerry, her husband, and Teddy on a sidewalk during one of their walks.  Teddy passed away three months after Gerry's husband's death three years ago.

If you think there is a lot of sadness in today's post, I beg to differ.  I believe it is all about love and friendship.  Bruna is one of the most generous people I know.  She has helped countless friends in their illnesses, bereavements, and moving-aways.  For decades, she has been sending packages of the Washington Post newspapers to a friend who had moved away to Hawaii!  I painted "Teddy" out of love and friendship.  Please send prayers to Gerry for her speedy recovery!

If you send your pet's pictures to kimstenbergart@gmail.com, I will make beautiful pet portraits out of them.  How fun is that!  You can buy the painting anytime, but there is no obligation. Thanks!

Today is Day Twenty Eight of Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 Challenge.  Two more days!

"Dugout" (oil on linen; 6" x 8") sold

sold

"Dugout" is for my Facebook fan, Rebecca.  There is a story behind her curious name.  Eight years ago, Rebecca's husband and son found her at their high school baseball field when she had accidentally gotten herself locked inside the facility.  That is why they named her Dugout. She is a great dog and very much loved.  Their vet believes she is a Jack Russell/Australian Shepherd mix.

If you send your pet's pictures to kimstenbergart@gmail.com, I will make beautiful pet portraits out of them.  How fun is that!  At the end of September, I will do a drawing and one lucky person wins a free painting.  You can buy the painting anytime, but there is no obligation. Thanks!

Today is Day Twenty Seven of Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 Challenge.  Three more days!

"Trixie" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") sold

sold

"Trixie" is for my Facebook fan, Sue.  Trixie is a Pug/Yorkie mix.  She is built more like a pug, but her face isn't squashed in like a pug.  She is more a yorkie and her hair grows like a yorkie too.  She is a ten-year-old "puppy", because she doesn't act old at all.  She still loves her toys and games, playing fetch in particular.  Sue and Trixie take two walks everyday: a mile in the morning and a 1/2 mile in late afternoon.  Between you and me, Sue is not a puppy either! There is much to say for walking.  I told Sue to keep walking!

If you send your pet's pictures to kimstenbergart@gmail.com, I will make beautiful pet portraits out of them.  How fun is that!  At the end of September, I will do a drawing and one lucky person wins a free painting.  You can buy the painting anytime, but there is no obligation. Thanks!

Today is Day Twenty Six of Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 Challenge.  Four more days!  After the month is over, I can sleep in if I want to.  You wouldn't believe that this challenge has become a competitive sport.  Sometimes Leslie, who lives in California, posts the blog early in the morning like 7:00 am.  (She had probably scheduled publication.)  I check in only to learn that twenty artists have already entered their entries!  I'll be darned.

"Beamer" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") sold

sold

"Beamer" is another painting for my Facebook fan, Tracey.  Beamer is a Beagle/Brittany Spaniel mix, named after the Virginia Tech football coach, Frank Beamer.  He is probably the most perfect dog on the planet, says Tracey: super cute, super affectionate with just the right amount of craziness with so much personality.

Normally, I would smile politely at such a statement.  But, with Beamer, I am going to take Tracey at her word.  Look at him in his signature pose of crossing his paws when lying down.  Have you ever seen a dog doing that?

If you send your pet's pictures to kimstenbergart@gmail.com, I will make beautiful pet portraits out of them.  How fun is that!  At the end of September, I will do a drawing and one lucky person wins a free painting.  You can buy the painting anytime, but there is no obligation. Thanks!

Today is Day Twenty Five of Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 Challenge.  Five more days!  I am really seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!

"Nevaeh" (oil on linen; 7" x 7") sold

sold

"Nevaeh" is for my Facebook fan, Tracey.  The reference photo was taken during Snowmageddon 2010.  Snowmageddon was the big blizzard that hit the East Coast.  I am sure, if you live there, you would remember it vividly!  Tracey got over 3 feet of snow; we got 2 feet.

Nevaeh (Heaven backwards) is a Husky/Shepherd mix.  According to Tracey, she is pretty crazy with aggression issues.  That may be so.  To me, she looks like a royalty!  She is a unique-looking dog with piercing blue eyes and big pointy ears.  She is indeed used to attention and gets offended if people walk by her without looking at her.  I used one photo, which didn't show her ears, as the main source of the painting.  Then I "borrowed" her ears from another photo taken in a different angle.  I hope I pulled it off.

If you send your pet's pictures to kimstenbergart@gmail.com, I will make beautiful pet portraits out of them.  How fun is that!  At the end of September, I will do a drawing and one lucky person wins a free painting.  You can buy the painting anytime, but there is no obligation. Thanks!

Today is Day Twenty Four of Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 Challenge.  "Nevaeh" is my 21th painting of the month.  I might have skipped painting/blogging a few times, but I will be breaking my own record by the end of the month!

"I Love My Puppy Lab" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") sold

sold

Bailey is a Yellow Labrador Retriever.  She was two months old when the picture was taken. Look at her, with the furrowed forehead, trying to figure out what this strange thingamajig is.  I bet she put it right into her mouth soon after.  Ah, I love puppy labs!